A50139:237
Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and…
Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and surprising things that have befallen several bewitched and possessed person in New-England, particularly a narrative of the marvellous trouble and relief experienced by a pious family in Boston, very lately and sadly molested with evil spirits : whereunto is added a discourse delivered unto a congregation in Boston on the occasion of that illustrious providence : as also a discourse delivered unto the same congregation on the occasion of an horrible self-murder committed in the town : with an appendix in vindication of a chapter in a late book of remarkable providences from the calumnies of a Quaker at Pen-silvania / written by Cotton Mather ... and recommended by the ministers of Boston and Charleston.Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and surprising things that have befallen several bewitched and possesed person in New-England, particularly a narrative of the marvellous trouble and releef experienced by a pious family in Boston, very lately and sadly molested with evil spirits : whereunto is added a discourse delivered unto a congregation in Boston on the occasion of that illustrious providence : as also a discourse delivered unto the same congregation on the occasion of an horrible self-murder committed in the town : with an appendix in vindication of a chapter in a late book of remarkable providences from the calumnies of a Quaker at Pen-silvania / written by Cotton Mather ... and recommended by the ministers of Boston and Charleston.
Boston: printed by R.P., 1689
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Consider also, the Misery of them whom Witchcraft may be let loose upon. If David thought it a sad thing to fall into the hands of men; What is it to fall into the hands of Devils? The Hands of Turks, of Spaniards, of Indians, are not so dreadful as those hands that Witches do their works of Darkness by. O what a diresh I thing is it, to be pricked with Pins, and stabbed with Knives all over, and to be filled over with broken Bones? 'Tis impossible to reckon up the Varieties of miseries which those Monsters inflict where they can have a Blow. No less than Death, and that a languishing and a terrible Death will satisfy the Rage of those formidable Dragons. Indeed Witchcraft sometimes grows up into Possession it self: the Devils that are permitted to torment, at last do possess the Bodies of the bewitched sufferers. But who can bear the thoughts of that! who can forbear crying out, O Lord, my flesh trembles for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy Judgements.
Consider also, the Misery of them whom Witchcraft may be let loose upon. If David thought it a sad thing to fall into the hands of men; What is it to fall into the hands of Devils? The Hands of Turks, of Spaniards, of Indians, are not so dreadful as those hands that Witches do their works of Darkness by. O what a diresh I thing is it, to be prick't with Pins, and stab'd with Knives all over, and to be fill'd over with broken Bones? 'Tis impossible to reckon up the Varieties of miseries which those Monsters inflict where they can have a Blow. No less than Death, and that a languishing and a terrible Death will satisfie the Rage of those sormidable Dragons. Indeed Witchcraft sometimes growes up into Possession it self: the Devils that are permitted to torment, at last do possess the Bodies of the bewitched sufferers. But who can bear the thoughts of that! who can forbear crying out, O Lord, my flesh trembles for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy Iudgements.
What shall then be done for our Preservation? Away with all superstitious. Preservatives; about those Confidences the Word of God is that in Jer. 2. 37. Thou shalt not prosper in them.